Graduation Report: Oh, the Places You’ll Go

The month of May marks the beginning of graduation season, a time when young adults are handed a diploma and the keys to the rest of their lives.

It’s tradition to have a commencement address, featuring high-profile speakers to impart words of wisdom. Listen closely. Think of it as a launching pad for the places you will go in your lifetime. Sometimes it’s traveling the world, finding oddball internships to help refine and kick-start your career path.

A great commencement address may set the table for what’s to follow in your life.

“Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead,” author Nora Ephron reminded Wellesley graduates in 1996.

U.S. presidents are favorite speakers. “You can be hopeful because there is a loving God,” said George W. Bush to SMU graduates.

U2 lead singer and social-activist Bono challenged the Class of 2004 graduates to answer, “What’s your big idea? What are you willing to spend your moral capital, your intellectual capital, your cash, your sweat equity in pursuing outside of the walls of the University of Pennsylvania?”

Meryl Streep was pragmatic when speaking at Vassar in 1983: “The work itself is the reward, and if I choose challenging work, it’ll pay me back with interest. At least I’ll be interested, even if nobody else is.”

Naval Adm. William H. McRaven advised UT graduates in 2014 to make their beds every morning. “It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another.”

Finally, here’s quote from Apple CEO Steve Jobs that says it all: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

To all the newly minted graduates, be proud. Congratulations, and enjoy your moment.